Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has signed a five-year framework agreement worth SAR 22.5 million (approximately USD 6 million) with CEER National Automotive Company, Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown electric vehicle (EV) brand and original equipment manufacturer.

The agreement was announced at LEAP 2026, where Salam participated as a strategic sponsor under the theme “Powering what’s next.”

Under the five-year framework, Salam will provide Internet and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) fibre connectivity to CEER. The services will support the automotive company’s design, development, manufacturing and distribution operations across Saudi Arabia.

Connectivity to support CEER’s automotive operations

The agreement will provide CEER with high-capacity and resilient connectivity infrastructure as it develops its electric vehicle operations and expands its national automotive programme.

The partnership is also part of Salam’s B2B 2.0 strategy, which aims to strengthen its position as an enterprise digital transformation partner. The strategy brings together services across areas including artificial intelligence, 5G, cybersecurity, cloud and managed services.

Johnny Saldanha, Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer at CEER, said reliable connectivity would be essential across the company’s design, manufacturing, distribution and customer experience activities.

He added that Salam’s infrastructure and expertise would provide CEER with the connectivity foundation required as it develops electric vehicles under a Saudi brand.

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s industrial diversification

CEER is positioned as a key component of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop domestic automotive manufacturing and diversify its industrial economy under Vision 2030.

By selecting Salam as a preferred connectivity provider, CEER will have access to telecommunications infrastructure designed to support its operations as the company scales production and works towards bringing next-generation electric vehicles to the market.

The partnership also highlights the growing role of digital infrastructure in supporting Saudi Arabia’s emerging manufacturing and technology industries.

Salam expands enterprise focus

Abdullah Khorami, Chief Business Officer at Salam, said the agreement reflects the company’s focus on developing long-term partnerships with businesses contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.

He described CEER as a representation of the Kingdom’s industrial ambitions and said Salam was focused on providing the connectivity infrastructure needed to support the company’s development.

The agreement further strengthens Salam’s presence in the enterprise sector as the telecommunications provider seeks to support major industrial and digital transformation projects across Saudi Arabia.

CEER Salam Saudi Arabia automotive industry electric vehicles Saudi Arabia EV manufacturing Saudi Vision 2030 LEAP 2026 telecommunications digital infrastructure DWDM connectivity enterprise